With the introduction of HTML 5, there is now a specification for a Geolocation API. Geolocation is the technology of detecting the location of a user on Earth. IP2Location.com will demonstrate how this can be done with the new JavaScript API (based on wireless geolocation)
IP2Location will demonstrate the traditional way of doing Geolocation which is via IP address using IP2Location's database. In this case, the server side code will check the detected user IP address against the IP2Location database. Next, IP2Location will demonstrate another way of doing Geolocation using the new HTML 5 Geolocation API which checks the user’s network adapter MAC address. Only web browsers that support HTML 5 will be able to access this new HTML 5 Geolocation API. Permission will also have to be explicitly granted by the user before the geolocation data can be collected. To view the live demos of both and JavaScript API codes, please visit http://www.ip2location.com/
In addition, IP2Location makes comparison between these two methods of Geolocation based on their technology, accuracy, availability of data, privacy issues and browser compatibility. The main difference between the two is that Wireless Geolocation uses MAC Address and Signal Strength while IP Address Geolocation uses IP Address. On the issue of accuracy, Wireless Geolocation has the advantage of being able to narrow down the person’s position to within 100 meters compared with IP Address Geolocation which will not be able to give such an accurate detection especially when it comes to dynamic IP addresses. On the other hand, IP Address Geolocation is able to provide a higher availability of IP geolocation data and afford users more privacy while Wireless Geolocation requires end-users to share their locations. Unlike IP Address Geolocation, Wireless Geolocation only works in HTML 5 and above.
Currently, the new Geolocation API may not be able to detect all locations yet and not all browsers at present support this new technology but the location detected by the HTML 5 Geolocation API could be more accurate when it is actually able to detect the person’s location. Privacy is also a big concern when it comes to the new Geolocation API as users will need to agree to share their current location with the geo data provider, which is currently Google, to be able to utilize this functionality. Compare this with the traditional method of Geolocation which check your IP address. The traditional method is less intrusive at the cost of being less accurate when it comes to dynamic IP addresses. However for most developers, the traditional method is usually sufficient for their daily needs. IP Geolocation would also be the preferred choice of developers who wish to shield their users from having their privacy intruded upon.
About IP2Location.com
About IP2Location.com Founded in 2001, IP2Location.com’
